So-Called Dollars

Minnesota Statehood Centennial - 1958

Purpose: To celebrate 100th anniversary of Statehood and to "sell Minnesota to Minnesotans and to the world."

Organization: Statehood Centennial Commission created by 1955 Legislature; $100,000 granted for planning phase with additional $1,100,000 forthcoming in 1957 upon submission of final plans. While Commission directly staged many events, County Committees were "broad framework on which mass participation could be built"; all 87 counties so organized. Local activities were financed by modest direct assistance from Commission, by county funds and sale of multitude of souvenirs.

Dates, Site, Attendance: Year long, state-wide program presented "1600 major Centennial events, exclusive of school, service club and civic affairs, solely in observance of 100th birthday"; attracted millions of visitors.

Comment: High point was Statehood Week, May 5-11; Commemorative Ceremony in Memorial Stadium, University of Minnesota, drew 22,000 on Statehood Day, May 11. Commission’s largest project was Centennial Train whose 6 exhibit cars presented "every aspect of Minnesota life—past, present and future." Between April 19 and Sept. 3, train criss-crossed state visiting almost 100 cities, triggered local centennial activities. Commission also converted old river sternwheeler into Centennial Showboat; played over 100 performances up and down Mississippi River.

A permanent memorial to Statehood was restoration of Old Fort Snelling, established 1819 as northernmost post of U. S. Army. Centennial observance was integrated everywhere with annual events. In St. Paul, famous Winter Carnival in January and State Fair in August became "Winter Carnival and Centennial Holiday" and "State Fair and Centennial Exposition," respectively, with record-breaking attendance. Aquatennial at Minneapolis in July included "Aqua-Centennial Salute."

Medals: While there was no Official Medal sponsored by Centennial Commission, there was an Official Emblem, designed by Will Schaeffer, which appeared on most local and private issues.

OFFICIAL CENTENNIAL EMBLEM

Arcs around entire border enclosing design of four unequal segments, upper l. and lower r. are frosty, other 2 are bright; around, in upper two segments Minnesota Centennial; in lower l. 1858, in lower r. 1958; central design is that of two heads, back to back, female to l. and male to r.; below are two outstretched hands holding items representing agriculture, industry, forests, ore.

Image provided by Jonathan Brecher

UNIFACE DOLLARS

Originally struck as trial pieces to interest cities, counties, merchants and others to use reverse for individualized purposes. They also proved popular in uniface form; sold widely by smaller merchants as souvenirs.

Obverse: Official Centennial Emblem, per above.
Reverse: UNIFACE except for microscopic Wendell-N.W. / MPLS.

HK-517 - Gilt Bronze. Size 21.
HK-518 - Aluminum.

Image provided by Jonathan Brecher

ALEXANDRIA, DOUGLAS COUNTY, DOLLARS

Original Bronze medals issued by Alexandria Centennial Committee; 1500 struck and sold for 50 cents. Later, 1000 additional Bronze and "special limited striking" of 250 sterling Silver pieces were offered for $1 and $4 respectively by retail outlet of striking company which apparently had retained dies. Reverse of medal depicts carving of famous Kensington Rune Stone found in Alexandria area 1898. Runic characters carved into stone purportedly told amazing story of visit there by Norsemen 130 years before Columbus discovered America. Controversy as to authenticity still prevails.

Obverse: Official Centennial Emblem, per above.

Reverse: In center, on tablet or shield, is design of 2 Viking figures, one standing with shield and spear, other on knee carving stone block; in upper right of general design is 1362; above design Alexandria / Centennial; to l. 1858 above a fish; to r. 1958 above a bird; below design, on ribbon, June 13-14-15

HK-519 - Silver, on edge Sterling. Size 21.
HK-520 - Gilt Bronze.

Image provided by John Dean

MURRAY COUNTY DOLLAR

Issued by Murray County Centennial Committee at Slayton; 1000 struck and sold for 50 cents.

Obverse: Official Centennial Emblem, per above.
Reverse: Murray County / 1958 / Our 101st / Year / "Acres of Opportunity"

HK-521 - Gilt Bronze. Size 21.

NORMAN COUNTY DOLLAR

Issued by Norman County Centennial Committee at Ada; approximately 1000 struck and sold for 50 cents.

Obverse: Official Centennial Emblem, per above.

HK-522 - Gilt Bronze. Size 21.

ONAMIA DOLLAR

Issued by Onamia Commercial Club, Onamia, Mille Lacs County; about 1500 struck, both plain and pierced; sold for $1.

Obverse: Official Centennial Emblem, per above.
Reverse: Onamia / — a — / 1908 / 1958; below Golden Anniversary

HK-523 - Gilt Bronze. Size 21.

STATE BAR ASSOCIATION DOLLAR

Issued by Minnesota State Bar Association; 1000 copies struck and presented to members at annual meeting, June 19-20, 1958 at Minneapolis.

Obverse: Official Centennial Emblem, per above.
Reverse: Minnesota State Bar Association / 75th / Year / 1883— 1958 / June 19-20, 1958.

HK-524 - Aluminum. Size 21.

WESTERN STAR LODGE NO. 26, A F & A M DOLLAR

Issued by Lodge and presented free to members, their centennial year concurring with that of State. This was very limited issue.

Obverse: Official Centennial Emblem, per above.
Reverse: At top, around Western Star Lodge No. 26 A F & A M; across 100th / Year / 1858-1958 / October 27. / 1958 / Albert Lea, Minn.

HK-525 - Gilt Bronze. Size 21.